Blind Spot Monitoring

On a motorway, a car which is far behind can be clearly seen in the rear view mirrors. However, as the car approaches, a point is reached where the car cannot be seen in either the interior or exterior mirrors. Typically this occurs when the car is just behind and to one side of the vehicle it is overtaking. It is a common mistake for drivers to change lanes when there is a vehicle in this so-called “blind spot”, a manoeuvre which causes many accidents on European motorways.

Several manufacturers have developed systems which monitor the blind-spot and help a driver change lanes safely. Some systems are camera-based, others rely on radar. Either way, the area to one side and rearward to the vehicle is monitored and the driver is warned when there is a vehicle in a position where it may not be seen in the rear view mirrors.